Industrial and Safety - Climate change resilience

Industrial and Safety acknowledges the important part it can play in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Industrial and Safety introduced new Scope 1 and 2 emissions targets during the year, detailed here.

Blackwoods has mapped its LED footprint with the view to formalise a future fit-out strategy aligned to innovation and LED performance. A solar PV system will be installed at the Melbourne distribution centre in the 2023 financial year and once complete, all Blackwoods distribution centres will leverage solar power. The business’s fuel use remains a material part of its emission generation and while limited travel from the COVID-19 pandemic saw some benefits, the business is looking to establish an electric vehicle trial to coincide with the existing transition to hybrid vehicles.

Coregas continued its involvement in a range of hydrogen-based projects, which includes Australia’s largest hydrogen project, the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) gasification plant in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria. As part of this, Coregas assisted loading the world’s first liquid hydrogen ship - Suiso Frontier - in Victoria for transport to Japan.

Within New Zealand, fuel reduction and waste are two key areas of focus, given the high level of existing renewable generation sources. NZ Safety Blackwoods is transitioning its fleet to hybrid vehicles, which is expected to be completed by the 2024 financial year. To date, 47 hybrid vehicles have been received - 45 per cent of the business’ total fleet.

Workwear Group upgraded the LED lighting at its Melbourne Airport distribution centre and applied heat resistant roof sealant to its Welshpool distribution centre. The seal has resulted in significant heat reduction within the warehouse and has reduced the use of air-conditioning and overhead fans.